OK So I am starting my project of building a smoker from a 55 gallon drum. My question to you guys is that I want ot preserve the original art on the drum, this portion will be the smoker portion and will likely see temps in the 250 degree area for hours on end which I am pretty sure is not going to hurt the paint at all. My question is can I clear it with either automotive paint or another kind to just help with keeping it looking good longer? The portion with he actual flame in it is a seperate part that I am less worried about. Another question is can high heat paint be color matched that you know of?

There is a separate chamber a couple feet away that is burning the wood and the smoke is the only thing going through this unit, It is acting more like a chimney. Temp will be closer to 200-225 regulated in this unit, there will be control valve both on inlet and outlet to either let heat out or keep it in.

I am no paint guru but people make these out of wood and have regular old stickers on them that don't melt away so I am only assuming it will hold up. I have no proof.

I would be willing to spend 125 on a gallon on the paint but will talk to my local paint shop to see about getting a quart. I have messed around with painting several cars but I still won't claim to know anything about it, I just wing it.